Chapter 161
Royal Family Organized Party
We, who have finished eating have moved together with Matthias-san to the salon . There, we joined up with Rebecca-san and Wald-sama who returned from his work .
"Elder brother is having a child, huh~"
"Fufu, how exciting~"
After a doctor's examination, Amelia-san's pregnancy was confirmed .
Rebecca-san returned to report to us with light steps .
"If I remember correctly, they came to the Capital to participate in the evening party, right? Will they be fine?"
Soon, the castle will hold an evening party most of the nobility will attend . Velio-san and Amelia-san also came to the Capital to participate... Velio-san aside, I thought it might have been difficult for Amelia-san, but——
"Her condition will recover in two-three days, so she will be surely fine . "
Rebecca-san who has experienced childbirth said there won't be a problem .
"If we finish the greetings quickly, she just has to watch her condition and act accordingly . "
Moreover, according to Matthias-san, there's no problem to excuse yourself at any point in time after finishing the greetings if you have a good relationship with the royal family .
Indeed, if they can finish the greetings fast, they will be able to manage even if her condition isn't at its best .
"That reminds me, are you attending without a partner, Wald-sama?"
I am not that knowledgeable when it comes to evening parties of the nobility, but if I am not mistaken... don't women need a partner to escort them in order to attend? Are men able to attend without a partner then?
"I usually get a cousin or a distant relative to be my partner, but I am participating while working this time . "
"You are working, Wald-sama? What, I thought I could see you dressed up . "
I have never seen Wald-sama as "young master of a high status" so I thought I would be able to witness it this time, but... unfortunately, Wald-sama seems to be working .
Ah, but, won't he be dressed in the uniform of the Royal Guards?
"I am quite used to wearing such clothes, so I have no concerns about that, you know? Rather than that, Takumi . You should be concerned about your own attire . "
What does the uniform of the Royal Guards look like, I wonder? While thinking such, Wald-sama told me to worry about my own attire .
"Eh? Me? I have no plans that require me to wear a formal dress, though?"
"Oh my, what are you saying, Takumi-san . You are participating at the evening party as well . "
"Eh?"
My thoughts have suspended at the words Rebecca-san told me .
"... Eh? What did you say just now, Rebecca-san?"
"I am saying that a written invitation for the royal evening party has arrived for you as well . "
"R, really?"
"Of course . You cannot take Allen-chan and Elena-chan with you, but they have been invited to many salon and tea parties for children as well, you know? Well, you guys don't have to attend all the parties you were invited to, but I will have you attend a few, all right?"
What a shocking thing .
Surely not, surely not . I never thought I would be exposed to the high society of nobles .
"Errr... do I have to attend...?"
"I understand that you are not fond of these things, but you have to attend, Takumi-kun . Especially when it comes to a royal family organized party, not attending is quite impossible . "
"Eh~..."
"The purpose of your attendance is to announce that you have my backing . "
"......"
If you told me that, I have to go even if I don't want to .
"Also, that you know? We have to spread that you have gotten a personal invitation from the royal family . "
"Eh?"
"Takumi, you really are~ Even people serving at the castle don't have the chance to have a face-to-face meeting with the royalty, you know? And yet, you have visited them privately, no?"
"......"
I can't deny Wald-sama's words .
That's because I have visited them several times already in the short period of time in the Capital .
"Eh, but I don't have any appropriate clothes ready?"
"Don't worry about that . I have asked at Mary's store to prepare clothes for you . "
"......"
My attire was prepared without my knowledge .
If you are prepared this much, you should have told me earlier . I also wouldn't refuse if there was a good reason to go .
""Hey~""
"N? What is it, Allen, Elena?"
"Allen is not going?"
"Is Elena house sitting?"
Allen and Elena who heard the conversation were pulling on my clothes from both sides with sorrowful faces .
"Errm... that seems to be the case . Can you endure for a night?"
""Ehh~""
Allen and Elena pushed their heads against my sides with discontent expressions .
"Allen-chan and Elena-chan, you will be looked after by maids at the castle together with Julius-sama . "
""Nniyu?""
"Julius-sama?"
"The Crown Prince's, Austin-sama's son . He's one, nearly two years old now . "
So Austin-sama had a child... I didn't know~
However, even if they are together with Austin-sama's child, will Allen and Elena listen obediently to maids they meet for the first time? Although their shyness of strangers has gotten better recently, this is quite a different story...
"We plan on bringing Lizzy (Rebecca's personal maid) along . Besides, the Risner's... err?"
"Isaac . Isaac will be guarding Julius-sama . "
Without my knowing, the many problems of the evening party have been solved .
"... But, although he's little, Julius-sama is an heir to the throne, no? To be looked after together with someone of his status... is this all right?"
I mean, he's the royal grandson, you know? To be looked after with someone like him, I wonder about that? It's fine to be interested in him from a distance, but if they monkey around with him... I have a feeling that it won't end only painfully for me .
... Isn't there numerous things I should be worried about?
"Fufu . You don't have to worry that much, Takumi-san . "
"Truly . Regarding this matter, His Highness said 'by all means' after all . "
"Is... that so?"
If Austin-sama said "by all means" there's no room for me to refuse, is there?
"Allen, Elena, it seems that you will be house sitting in the castle, but please wait for me there obediently, okay?"
""Do we have to~?""
"You absolutely do . "
""Muu~~~""
Allen and Elena voiced their displeasure again . As I thought, they are dissatisfied with house sitting .
I would be feeling more at peace if Feat could be with them, but... I can't entrust the maids my contracted beasts as well, right? It would be better to request Isaac-san to look after Allen and Elena for me .
"Wald-sama, I would like to meet Isaac-san once before the party, could you arrange that for me?"
"N? Isaac? He should have evening hours just like me tomorrow, so I think he would happily come if you invite him for dinner? I have been boasting about how delicious the Armored Buffalo was before after all . I have no doubts he would come if you cook some Armored Buffalo dishes . "
"......"
The next day after eating Armored Buffalo steaks, Wald-sama who returned from the night shift ate steaks to his heart content in the morning . I knew he liked it quite a lot, but it seems he was boasting to Isaac-san again...
"In that case, I will cook Armored Buffalo steak and... other dishes, so please bring Isaac-san with you . "
"Ohh, I look forward to it . Got it, I will bring him without a fail . "
"I leave it to you . "
With this, Wald-sama will surely bring Isaac-san over .
The next day, I prepared the dishes for Isaac-san and requested him to take care of Allen and Elena on the day of the evening party .
Chapter 162
Evening Party
The day of the evening party arrived at last .
I, who handed over the unwilling Allen and Elena to the castle maids and the Royal Guards including Isaac-san, arrived with Matthias-san and Rebecca-san to the entrance of the evening party hall .
There will be many dressed up nobles, right? I am getting a bit nervous .
"Are you prepared, Takumi-kun?"
"Fufu . Now then, Takumi-san, let's enter . "
Although I was still feeling nervous, Rebecca-san supported herself with my arm .
Rebecca-san's escort is naturally Matthias-san, but I am escorting her with him today as well . This is apparently called a double escort .
When we entered the gorgeous hall, not a small racket stirred .
Is this normal or is it because someone they are not familiar with like me is with the Count couple... I couldn't tell since it was my first evening party, but curious gazes gathered on us .
"Takumi-kun, we must greet His Majesty first . "
"Y, yes, I understand . "
"Takumi-san, your expression has stiffened . "
"Eh?"
"It's understandable that you are nervous, but we are with you, so you don't need to be worried . "
"... I will do my best . "
Although I say that, I don't know whether I will be able to suppress my nervousness .
"Haha, it seems that eyes are nailed on your accessories, Rebecca . "
"Oh my, oh my . "
Matthias-san leaked quiet laughter without breaking his expression .
I see, the majority of the gazes is directed towards the pearls!
Today, Rebecca-san is wearing a wine red, slender dress with a charmful white embroidery with the pearl accessories Matthias-san and I gifted her .
"There isn't anyone going to ask even though they are all interested?"
"Takumi-kun, where are we going now?"
"Eh? To His Majesty——Tristan-sama's place . "
"Right . There's no way they would obstruct us when we are going to this party's organizer, the King of this country, right?"
"Ah, I see!"
It's standard to greet the organizer of the party first . There isn't anyone without manners who would contact us before we finished our greetings .
"Now then, Takumi-kun, it's our turn . "
We advanced through the queue of people that came to greet Tristan-sama .
When it became our turn, Matthias-san went forward and bowed .
Following after Matthias-san, Rebecca-san and I bowed next .
"Count Ruven, Lady Rebecca, thank you for coming this evening . "
"Thank you very much for the invitation . "
Talking casually is apparently a breach of etiquette for those of status . Therefore, when Tristan-sama addressed Matthias-san, Matthias-san gave his greetings .
It feels like the stern Tristan-sama wrapped in kingly aura I had an audience with was a different person .
"Your outfit is truly beautiful tonight, Your Majesty . "
"Oh my, thank you, Count Ruven . Your wife's attire is also wonderful today . "
I don't feel any friendliness from Grace-sama she had when I met her in private .
This is exactly what a "Noble woman" is .
"You did well coming, Takumi . "
"Thank you very much for the invitation, Your Majesty . "
The moment Tristan-sama called out to me, the surroundings have gotten momentarily noisier .
Are they surprised that someone they don't know was known by His Majesty?
"How is your first evening party?"
"I feel a bit nervous from this truly gorgeous place . "
"Hahaha~ What, no need to be this tense . Just enjoy yourself without worries . "
"Indeed, Takumi-san . Since you are already here, you better enjoy yourself . "
As Tristan-sama and Grace-sama talked with me intimately, the noise of the surroundings grew louder .
"Good evening, Takumi-dono . "
When Austin-sama and Aurora-sama who finished greeting other nobles joined us, the noise grew even louder .
"Thank you for the invitation, Austin-sama . "
"It's my first time seeing you dressed like this Takumi-dono, but it seems that you are quite used to it . "
"Do you think so?"
I was always dressed in my usual adventurer-style clothes when meeting with Austin-sama, so he was staring at me fixedly .
Generally, adventurers (commoners) wouldn't be used to wearing this style of clothes, but I am used to wearing a suit, so I don't feel out of place when dressed like a noble .
"Both Grace-sama and Aurora-sama are wearing the pearls, I see . It suits you very well . "
"Thank you . Although I believe that one would be able to get used to wearing something this wonderful immediately . "
"Indeed . I also switched the dress I was planning on wearing tonight for something that would match with the hair ornament~"
"If I am not mistaken... you wanted to wear a pale-pink dress tonight, no?"
"Yes, they are of the same color though, so the pearl wouldn't stand out . "
"Truly . "
Grace-sama and Aurora-sama were wearing the pearl accessories I have brought them the other day . Aurora-sama decided to choose a new dress that would go well with the pearl hair ornament .
"Rebecca's jewelry is also wonderful . Were these pearls also..."
"Yes, indeed . "
Grace-sama praised Rebecca-san's pearl accessories and glanced at me .
She asked Rebecca-san in a way that the people listening in to our conversation wouldn't understand .
Rebecca-san also replied in an unclear way .
"Takumi, I can't praise you for hogging our women all for yourself~"
"Eh?"
Tristan-sama on the side was poking fun at me .
From the side, it apparently looks like the three women were gathered around me .
"Nono, Your Majesty . You should have seen Takumi-kun when he was surrounded by young ladies at our tea party . "
"What? That's incredible . "
Matthias-san, I don't need to guess that you are talking about the matter with Pastel Rabbits, right? Please stop saying it as if the ladies were gathering around for me .
Also, stop smirking at me please!
"... It was the Pastel Rabbits that were popular, not me . "
"You think so? They might have been swarming around you, you know?"
"Definitely not~"
"My, oh my . Your Majesty, Takumi-san is going to sulk if you tease him too much . "
"Right . "
Tristan-sama was trying to tease me further, but he quickly withdrew thanks to Grace-sama's defense .
"It's amusing talking with you Takumi and I would like to talk more, but let's do that afterward . Well then, Count Ruven, Takumi is still unfamiliar with a place like this, so look after him carefully . "
"Understood . "
Tristan-sama and others still have many nobles left to greet, so they are not able to spare too much time for us . I felt a bit uneasy from Tristan-sama's words, but we bowed and separated from him and others .
"... How tiring . "
"Now, now, the evening party has just begun, you know? —— Look, they are here . "
After we separated from Tristan-sama and others, I grumbled a complaint .
But, aren't people unconcerned about that and coming this way!?
"Long time no see, Count Ruven . "
"Count Ruven-sama, Rebecca-sama, gokigen'yoh . "
"Rebecca-sama, it has been a while . "
And before I noticed, we were surrounded by many people .
"Rebecca-san, your necklace and earring look wonderful . "
"What a splendid pearls~"
"Where might you have purchased them?"
They came to ask about the pearls .
Is that why there are only three men, but seven women? Because of the pearls?
"Fufu . This was a gift from my husband . "
Rebecca-san gave an evasive reply to the questions of the women .
"Who might be this person?"
"He is not your son, is he?"
There also were people who wanted to know about me .
"He is an adventurer under my guardianship . He is very exceptional, so he had the privilege of obtaining His Majesty's favor . "
"Certainly, his conversation with His Majesty seemed quite intimate..."
Matthias-san appealed his guardianship of me and His Majesty's relationship with me .
Without being able to interject even once, I watched Matthias-san and Rebecca-san's conversations from the side .
Chapter 163
Template, once again .
It took a considerable amount of time before we were released from the barrage of questions .
"... That was dreadful . "
I went to an unpopulated balcony where I chilled my heated up body with the cold air .
Matthias-san and Rebecca-san are intimately dancing within the dancing circle, so they are not with me . It had left me by myself, but I encouraged them to go for a dance .
"Oy, commoner . Don't get too cocky just because you have received His Majesty's favor!"
As if waiting for me to be alone, several young masters came over to pick a fight with me with an incomprehensible pretext .
"Errr... I don't think I am acting cocky or anything though?"
"Stop talking back! Don't get carried away just because you are at this party!"
"Right! Understand already that this party is not suitable for commoners!"
These people with distorted reasoning that are going after me are the kind of people who think they are better than everyone else . Therefore, it's clear that they won't listen to anything I say .
It has been a while since something like this happened~ I am relieved that Allen and Elena aren't here, because of they were, they would end up throwing themselves at these young masters immediately until they wouldn't be able to move like that adventurer before .
Using a force against the nobility would cause some problems after all .
... However, how do I get myself out of this situation?
I can't use force, words don't connect... should I evacuate? Should I move to a more public place and swiftly join up with Matthias-san and Rebecca-san?
"What are you doing there?"
While thinking of escaping from here, I heard the voice of a third party .
"Y, Your Highness!?"
It was the third prince, Alfried-sama .
"I am asking you . What are you doing there? I think I heard some inappropriate remarks?"
"No, that's not the case at all . "
"Is that so?"
"Of course . "
"Well, let's leave it at that . I'd like to borrow him for a while, that fine with you?"
"Y, yes . We will excuse ourselves . "
With the prince's entry, the young masters were bound to disperse . Moreover, while leaving, they left a "You got lucky today" remark .
"... What did they want to do?"
"Majority of the people here are pleased with you, so they probably wanted to chase you out, Takumi-dono . "
"Ah! Sorry about that . Thank you for helping me, Alfried-sama . "
I was dumbfounded by their sore loser threat, but recalling that I haven't given my thanks to Alfried-sama yet, I conveyed my thanks in a hurry .
"No, that wasn't your fault, right? You are here because you were invited by Father . Rather, I should be the one apologizing . I am sorry about those fellows . "
"No, that's not something Alfried-sama should be apologizing for . "
Alfried-sama was earnestly apologizing, but I don't think it was required .
"You are quite tolerable, Takumi-dono~ Ah, please call me Al . We are close in age, so I don't mind if you speak casually to me . "
"Then, I will address you Al-sama . Please, call me Takumi . "
"I don't mind the honorifics, but... the surroundings would be noisy, so it can't be helped . "
Al-sama was a very friendly person . We could build a good relationship if he was to be my friend~ I insolently thought .
"Come to think of it, why have you come to the balcony, Al-sama?"
"Ah, I wanted to talk with you . "
"Yes? About what?"
When I asked why he came to the balcony, Al-sama was averting his gaze a little .
Something he wanted to talk about? While thinking about what it could be, I wanted for him to speak .
"... About the other day . "
"The other day? Ahh... about us happening to see you in the town?"
"! I, I see . So you really did notice me that time . "
It appears that Al-sama wanted to talk about his incognito stroll in the town .
Nevertheless... he somehow guessed that I was able to notice him .
"Yes . You really do take after Tristan-sama . I was able to tell immediately . "
"... I see . "
Al-sama hung his head in dejection .
"I will tell you just in case, but I have no intentions of spreading rumors . Besides, as long as it doesn't cause trouble for the surroundings, I don't really oppose your incognito walks . "
For the time being, I followed up with what Alfried-sama seemed to be concerned about .
"... You think so?"
"Yes . "
"That would be a great help . "
"Nono . "
As I thought, what Al-sama was worried about was whether his strolls would be exposed to others .
"Does Tristan-sama and the rest not know?"
"No, I did not tell anyone, but I believe that Father and others know . I think they are aware, but just not saying anything . "
"Is that so?"
Is that so? That's rather convenient...——
"Did Tristan-sama perhaps traveled incognito as much as you do before? That's why he isn't saying anything, perhaps?"
"Eh? N, no, surely not!?"
Al-sama seems surprised, but I don't find it impossible . That's why I think that if he doesn't go overboard, his strolls might be overlooked .
"Well, anyhow . I don't know how often you go for the strolls in the town, but your current pace seems to be overlooked~"
"I see!"
Al-sama was delighted from hearing my words . He must like walking in the town a lot .
"You were here, Your Highness . Did I not tell you to refrain from going alo——"
At that time, the red-haired guard that was with Al-sama before arrived . He was apparently looking for Al-sama as he tried to reproach him the moment he found him, but he stopped once he noticed me .
"Oh my? You are..."
"Hello . I am an adventurer, Takumi . Thank you very much for your assistance the other day . "
"... Not at all . "
When I told him my thanks for assisting me by throwing the coin, he was dumbfounded .
"It seems that Takumi has noticed our identities . "
"... As I thought, it was like that, huh——ahh, how rude of me . My name is Najack Ignis . "
"Najack is my personal guard . Ah, he's also a nephew of Countess Ruven . "
"Eh? Then Najack-sama is Wald-sama and Velio-sama's cousin?"
"Yeah, that's right . "
From what Al-sama said, I understood that the Ignis Household is Rebecca-san's maternal family .
"Hee~ I wasn't aware . "
"It's only a little, but I heard about you from Obaasama, Takumi-dono . "
"Eh? Is that so!?"
"Yeah, my Father and Obaasama seem to be keeping close contact, so I heard various things..."
"......"
Najack-sama's words were muddy at the end for some reason .
Rebbeca-san, just what did you tell your parent's home!?
"Oh! I heard about them too! Takumi's tales of heroism!"
"!?"
Seriously, wait a moment! What do you mean by heroism!
I was curious about what stories they heard, but I had a bad feeling that I would regret asking, so I decided to not ask in the end .
"......... Ah~ that reminds me, is it all right for you to be this far for this long from the hall, Al-sama?"
"Yeah? Ahh, this much shouldn't be a problem... it would be better to return soon though . You are coming back too, right?"
"Indeed, I should . "
"In that case, come with me . It would be troublesome if something like before happened again before you could meet up with Count Ruven, right? If you are with me—"
"Nono, as expected, I can't use a prince a shield . "
"I don't really mind? Alright, let's go, Takumi . "
When I returned to the hall while escorted by Al-sama, Matthias-san, Rebecca-san and naturally Tristan-sama and the rest of the royal family were delighted that Al-sama and I became friends .
The royals have only a few friends because of their status, so people like me are apparently rare . Al-sama himself told me "by all means" . I thought that I could become good friends with him, so I decided to accept .
Like this, I made a friend from the royal family .
Chapter 164
Picking Up
After that, I was somehow able to appreciate the atmosphere of the evening party a bit longer, but thinking that I should be fine by now, I decided to leave the venue behind and went to pick up Allen and Elena .
Of course, I have received Tristan-sama and Matthias-san's permission .
""Onii~chan!""
When I entered the room where the children were being taken care of, the two vigorously jumped at me .
""Welcome back~""
"I'm back . Were you waiting for me obediently?"
"Yup, Allen was a good boy!"
"Elena also was a good girl!"
"I see . You were good children~"
Allen and Elena were appealing that they waited while being good kids, so I praised the two lots while patting their heads .
"Huh? That reminds me, where's Julius-sama?"
"It was time for Julius-sama to sleep, so he was taken to his bedroom . "
Just I found it strange that I had not seen Julius-sama together with Allen and Elena, Isaac-san filled me in .
"Is that so? How unlucky of me . I wanted to meet him..."
"If it's you, you will definitely have another opportunity, Takumi-san . "
I was not able to see Julius-sama when I brought Allen and Elena here, but I had not the luck even this time . He's Austin-sama and Aurora-sama's child, so I believe that he surely is a lovely child, but... I wasn't able to confirm it .
"Are you two not sleepy?"
""Is fine~!""
The time has already reached the time for children to sleep, but Allen and Elena don't seem to be sleepy at all today .
"Thank you very much for today, Isaac-san . I hope there were no problems?"
"Everything was fine . The two were obedient and looked after Julius-sama . "
"Eh, is that so?"
Hearing that Allen and Elena looked after a young child, I was surprised a little .
"Yes . Yes they read him a picture book very wonderfully . "
"Heeh~ you read him a picture book, huh~ Aren't you two amazing~!"
""Ehehe~""
Hearing that Allen and Elena were not only obedient but even read Julius-sama a picture book, I was very impressed . When I praised them once more, the two laughed bashfully .
"Rather than that, Takumi-san!"
"Yes?"
But suddenly, Isaac-san looked serious, so I was wondering what he was going to say .
"The children read the book as if acting out a theater performance, was it you who have taught them?"
"...... Eh?"
He was making a serious face, so I was wondering what it was about, but it was about the way they read the book .
As if acting out a theater performance, he said . Isn't he exaggerating a bit?
"... No, I only taught them how to read normally, I did not do something like that . "
"Is that so? It was quite terrific, you know?"
"Eh? That much!?"
"Yes, their performance was nearly bringing the scenes to life . "
"......"
Looking at Isaac-san's expression, he wasn't joking .
Watching me and Isaac-san having such a conversation, the two looked up at us as if asking "Are we amazing?"
"When did you manage to learn something like that? How incredible~"
"Obaasama did . "
"Teach us~"
""Eh?""
Hearing Allen and Elena's words, Isaac-san and I raised our voices in surprise .
"Obaasama? Eh, Rebecca-san taught you that?"
""Yeah . ""
"W, when did she manage that..."
Since living at the Ruven house, Allen and Elena certainly weren't sticking to me all the time and spent some time with Rebecca-san too, but... it shouldn't be that long .
In that short time, Rebecca-san managed to teach the two a way of reading that impressed Isaac-san so much?
"To teach them something like that without you even noticing... Madam Rebecca is quite a lady of character, isn't she~"
"... Indeed . "
There have already been several occasions Rebecca-san jumped the gun on me . Clothes with animal ears and even the preparations for this evening party . She makes me admire her skills on every occasion .
But well, she's not a bad influence on Allen and Elena, so... let's leave it at that .
"So you two are so skillful at reading books, huh~ Will you read your Oniichan the next time?"
""Yeah, will read~""
"I see . Then, please do so . "
A way of reading that impressed Isaac-san . I look forward to it .
"Shall we return then? Allen, Elena, give your thanks to Isaac-san . "
""Yup, thank you~""
"Thank you very much . I will prepare something to thank you the next time . "
"Nono, I was just doing my job . Rather than preparing something to thank me with, won't you visit our home the next time? Elder brother is eager to see you . "
I see, because of the social season, Cedric-san must have come to the Capital!
What bad luck . I wasn't able to meet him at the evening party .
"Then, he came with Theodore-kun and Latis-kun too?"
"Yes, the two want to see you as well . "
Theodore-kun and Latis-kun apparently came with him to the Capital .
"Allen, Elena, Theodore-kun and Latis-kun want to see you! Do you want to visit them?"
""Want! Tomorrow~?""
"Nono, tomorrow wouldn't be possible . I will contact them and we will then decide on the day, so it would be a few days later . "
""Ehh~""
When I told Allen and Elena that they would be able to see Theodore-kun and Latis-kun, the two were obviously delighted .
However, understanding that they won't be able to see them today or tomorrow, they got dejected .
"Fufu . I will make sure to let Elder brother know, so let's see~... how about three days later at the noon?"
"There are no problems for us . "
"I will tell him that then . "
"Yes, please . "
Seems like we will be able to see Cedric-san's family sooner than I thought .
"Well then, it's dark outside, so be careful on your way back . "
"Yes, we understand . "
Like this, my social debut (?) somehow ended with various happenings and an unexpected reunion .
Chapter 165
Tea
Three days after the evening party in the castle . We were invited to the Risner mansion in the Capital .
"Takumi-kun, thank you for coming . "
"Long time no see, Cedric-san . "
""Hello~!""
"Hello, Allen-kun, Elena-san . You seem to be doing well . "
""We are well~!""
Allen and Elena who greeted Cedric-san then proceeded to greet Theodore-kun and Latis-kun .
"Oh my my, did Allen-kun and Elena-san become a little more sociable?"
"It seems to be more towards other children, but they have been acting on their own more than ever before~"
"As I thought, a child's growth period really is eye opening~"
"Yes, truly . "
I constantly feel like that in regards to the children's growth .
Right at this moment, Allen and Elena are happily talking with Theodore-kun and Latis-kun . Even though they were clinging to me the last time around~
"I see . Cedric-san, I believe that you already heard from Isaac-san, but... you have become our guardian without your consent . "
"Nono, if it's to be a guardian of you and the children then I would do it happily even without His Majesty's command . "
It was the first time we met since he officially became our guardian, so when I conveyed him that, Cedric-san said that he would gladly become our guardian even if not ordered to .
Just as he said, Cedric-san has been taking care of us in one way or another since we met .
"... However, I am sorry for not being able to carry out my duty during the evening party . "
But, Cedric-san who has accepted being my guardian together with Matthias-san apologized for not being by my side at the evening party .
"Not at all! You must have it difficult after coming to the Capital with things like courtesy calls! Please, don't mind it!"
I panicked and conveyed to Cedric-san that there's no need to apologize .
"Courtesy calls were same as always so I had no problems with that, but I was swarmed by people curious about the Dungeon you have found in our territory... I have ended up surrounded more than usual . "
"Ahh, the Dungeon..."
To avoid people swarming me, Cedric-san has apparently made sure not to approach me at the evening party . Certainly, when the Lord of the territory where a new Dungeon was discovered came to an evening party... he would certainly attract many curious people around him . It has not been officially announced that I was the discoverer, but the nobles present at the previous audience know .
I thought I was surrounded by many people at that time, but... seems that I was naive .
"... Thank you very much for your consideration . "
Recalling the scene that could have happened at the evening party, I frowned . Cedric-san giggled .
"Father, let's move to the room and have tea . "
"Allen-kun and Elena-chan brought yummy snacks!"
At that time, Theodore-kun and Latis-kun suggested moving the place .
"Indeed . Takumi-san, Allen-kun, Elena-san, this way please . "
"Yes, thank you very much . "
""Yess~""
When we moved to the salon, Cedric-san immediately gave instructions to prepare tea .
"Huh?"
When I shifted my attention to the cup in front of me, there wasn't a brown liquid with a tinge of red, but a yellowish liquid instead .
At opportunities like this, it would be generally the black tea that's served, but... this seems to be a different beverage . But, it's in a cup, not a glass, so it's not fruit water, is it?
"I got hold of my favorite tea leaves, so I had that tea prepared . "
"Your favorite tea?"
"Yes, it's made outside the country, so I can enjoy it only occasionally . The tea leaves themselves are apparently the same, but they have their unique manufacturing method . The taste is a bit unusual, but I thought of having you give it a try . "
"Heeh~ I am looking forward to it then . "
I decided to try the tea right away .
"N!?"
The moment I drank that tea, I opened my eyes wide in surprise .
""Onii~chan?""
"Takumi-san? Is it perhaps not to your liking? It is a tea with a peculiar bitter taste after all . If that's the case, you don't need to be reserved . I will have something different prepared for you . "
Cedric-san who was concerned about my reaction suggested preparing a different kind of tea .
"N, not at all! I'm fine . It's very delicious! I was just surprised because this is tea that I was looking for . "
I conveyed my impressions to Cedric-san in panic .
Because far from liking it, it's the tea I was looking for! No, intended to look for .
I mean, this tea tastes like green tea——Sencha at that! Well, the bitterness is stronger and it's not green in color, but yellowish enough to be considered golden .
"Where did you obtain this tea, Cedric-san?"
"This tea? The producing area is in Gretia, but the store that sells it is——"
When I asked which store sells this tea, unexpectedly, Cedric-san said that it was Russel-san's store!
As I thought, he did have green tea among that huge selection of teas!
"The stock is not large, yes? Are they still selling it?"
"Let's see . I don't think there are many who buy it, so they should have some left, if lucky . "
"I will have to take a look on our way back then . "
"There's no need for that . Let's send someone to confirm right away . "
As soon as Cedric-san spoke, a servant left towards the store .
""Delish~? Can try?""
"Ah~ it might be a tad bitter for you two, I think . "
"Bitter . "
"Bleh~"
Seeing me wanting the tea leaves, Allen and Elena thought it was delicious and tried drinking the green tea .
Well, the flavor would be too bitter for children, so they honestly stated their dislike .
"Father, what about us?"
"I think you guys would find it too bitter as well . "
"Is that so?"
"I dislike bitter things . "
Theodore-kun and Latis-kun who were interested checked with their father, but as I thought, they don't seem to like bitter things too .
"Well, there's no need to force yourselves to drink . Theodore-kun, Latis-kun, how about some sweets?"
"I'd like to eat some!"
"Want!"
"Allen too~"
"Elena too~"
When I asked whether the children who were making bitter faces wanted to eat something sweet, they immediately raised their hands up .
"Hahaha~ Now then, what would you like?"
"Chocolate!"
"Pudding!"
While thinking about what to give Theodore-kun and Latis-kun to eat, Allen and Elena promptly stated their requests . But, rather than wanting to eat it themselves, it felt more like they wanted to let Theodore-kun and Latis-kun try it?
"What's that, Takumi-san?"
"New food?"
"Indeed . You two have probably never eaten it before~"
"Whoa~ how fun . "
"I want to quickly try it!"
"That's right, Takumi-san . Please, let us give it a try quickly . "
I think I heard Cedric-san's voice while talking to Theodore-kun and Latis-kun, but... well, let's not mind it .
"This is pudding and that is chocolate . Give it a try . "
"""Ohhh~"""
The Risner father and sons started with the pudding .
"""Delicious!"""
The three finished their puddings in no time and then extended their hands for the chocolate .
"""!"""
""Delish~?""
""It's delicious!""
"This is wonderful!"
Seeing the three's expression loosen from deliciousness, I also became happier . After that, we talked about our recent happenings and what went on in the Risner fief . The time passed in a blink of an eye .
While returning, Allen and Elena said goodbye to Theodore-kun and Latis-kun with lonely expressions .
Well, I would like to meet with Cedric-san once more before he returns to his fief~
Ah, by the way, the servant who was sent to Russel-san's shop was able to purchase Sencha and Cedric-san gifted it to me, so I was able to get my hands on green tea leaves .
On the other hand, Cedric-san was very pleased when I taught him the recipe for pudding instead of the ice cream recipe which I thought would be unsuitable during winter .
"That was fun, wasn't it?"
""Yeah, it was fun~""
We returned to the Ruven family's house in a carriage on the verge of the sun setting down .